Vietnam Net Bridge : International year for sea turtle protection launched in Vietnam

Source : Vietnam Net Bridge, 21 Jan '06
By : Profauna

International year for sea turtle protection launched in Vietnam

There are five species of sea turtles in Vietnam, and all of them are listed as threatened species, said Dr. Chu Tien Vinh, Deputy Director of the Seafood Research Institute at the launch ceremony in Hai Phong.

The ceremony was held by the WWF Greater Mekong’s Vietnam Programme in combination with the Seafood Research Institute and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) on January 19.

Experts have said that protection of sea turtles in Vietnam has made progress in recent years. However, “we have to exert greater efforts, especially the community of fishermen to protect this kind of rare animal since the extinction risk is still very high”, said Dr. Vinh.

According to him, the International year for the sea turtle is an opportunity for Vietnam to prove its efforts in preserving sea turtles to regional countries and the world.

On the same day the three above organizers signed a new project to diminish the frequency of sea turtles dying by being accidentally caught in nets in Vietnam. The project is funded by the US’ Atmosphere and Ocean Authorities and the International World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The project will conduct an observation programme of sea turtles from fishing boats, the first of its kind in Vietnam, to define the interaction between fishing and sea turtle, to help design management measures to reduce the impact on sea turtles.